India’s defence exports reached an all-time high of ₹38,424 crore in FY 2025–26, up ₹14,802 crore from ₹23,622 crore in FY 2024–25, which is a 62.66% year-on-year increase. The announcement was reported on April 2, 2026, based on a Ministry of Defence statement.
The official breakup says Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) accounted for 54.84% of exports and the private sector for 45.16%. In value terms, DPSUs exported about ₹21,071 crore, while private firms exported about ₹17,353 crore. Official reporting also said DPSU exports rose 151% year over year, while private-sector exports rose 14%.
The government says India now exports defence equipment to more than 80 countries, and the number of Indian defence exporters rose to 145 from 128 a year earlier, a 13.3% increase. Officials linked the growth to rising global acceptance of Indian-made defence products and deeper integration into international supply chains.
According to reporting that expanded on the ministry release, items in India’s export basket include missile systems such as BrahMos, artillery systems, radars, electronic warfare systems, armoured and mine-protected vehicles, Dornier-228 aircraft, specialised naval platforms and boats, and protective gear such as body armour and bulletproof jackets. The same report said major destinations include the United States, France, and Armenia, along with countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Israel, Germany, Belgium, and several African markets.
The Ministry of Defence also credited policy changes for the jump, including a revamped online export portal and simplified authorisation procedures. Indian Express, citing the ministry statement, added that the latest export figure is roughly three times higher than five years ago.
Why this matters: the record suggests India is moving beyond being mainly a large arms importer and is becoming a more credible exporter of defence systems and sub-systems. Reuters noted that India remains one of the world’s biggest military spenders and importers, so the export surge is significant because it shows a faster push toward domestic manufacturing and international market presence at the same time.
One caution: this is a government-announced headline export number, so it is best read as a strong indicator of momentum rather than proof that India is already among the top global arms exporters by long-term international rankings. Still, the rise in export value, exporter count, and country reach makes this one of the most important defence-manufacturing developments India has announced this year.
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